Above the port is the highest and most defensive crag on the island, the site of the oldest settlement, a fortress, a monastery, and – until recently – a prison.

Ascending through two stone gateways, you reach a picturesque still-inhabited settlement, the Terra Murata, which means ‘walled land’. There are superb views from the road leading up to the walls, and from a panoramic terrace looking towards the Bay of Naples.

This is an atmospheric spot, though the most substantial buildings here, the old prison and religious ruins out on the cliffs, stand empty and crumbling.

It is the highest point on the Island. It is the historic centre of Procida, the old “heart” of the Island with its medieval atmosphere, narrow streets and typical housing.

Form Terra Murata you can arrive at Piazza dei Martiri, the main square of the island with nice shops and bars.

A unique place of cultural heritage, a colorful fishing village, one of being cheerful, warm and friendly. In fact the word “Corricella” comes from the Greek “Kora Cale”, nice neighborhood.

The most picturesque and charming spot on the island, it is a thin sliver of waterfront backed by a cliff made of fishermen’s houses – at least, that’s the colorful impression. Behind a long fishing harbor, houses were built on and into the rock in a kind of pretty vertical muddle.

There are several bars and restaurants in Corricella, with tables attractively scattered along the waterfront, interspersed with painted fishing-boats and harbor cats hiding among piled nets. Despite the obvious tourist appeal of the settlement, it still has an ‘authentic’ feel, like so much of Procida.

This is a wonderful spot for a lazy lunch or a romantic evening meal with the water lapping nearby. Unfortunately it is a bit of a walk from the nearest bus routes, and you have to climb up the lanes or steps to leave the settlement, but it is well worth the effort. If you’ve just visited the Terra Murata, you can take a flight of steps down to Corricella from the road leading up to the headland.

One site that is open to the public is the Abbazia di San Michele ( Abbey of St. Michele ). The Abbazia is a curious and intriguing building, and it’s well worth a visit.

The main church is packed with art, including many representations of the archangel Michael, venerated as Procida’s saviour. The atmosphere is romantically decayed; the abbey suffers from a chronic lack of funding.

A guided tour continues through lower levels of the abbey, built into the cliffs.

Sights include a dusty library, historic nativity figures (recently stolen, then partially recovered), and the macabre spot where important corpses were hung to dry and mummify. Skulls decorate a small chapel, while creaking windows open onto the blue sea. It’s an atmospheric tour, ripe with history and neglect.

The beach of Chiaiolella, opposite Ischia offers views as far as the eye can see and is well known as a meeting point for young people. Chiaiolella is the longest of the island’s beaches and where one can experience the beautiful sunset’s at the end of each day. Also great for an ‘aperitivo’ at one of the open air restaurants or bars located along the seafront.

The beach of Chiaia, is located on the opposite side of the island is, a little difficult to reach due to its long set of stairs but offering many great advantages. The water is shallow and the bay is protected against the wind and waves. The beach is ideal for families with small children and because of its sheltered position, is also a meeting place during summer for classes in swimming for children.

The beach of “Pozzo Vecchio”, a small bay in the shape of a horseshoe and a stage for the famous scene from the film “The Postman” (in fact the beach is also known as the “beach of the postman”).